Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 12/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: My sister was baptized a Catholic, was confirmed, and was serious about her faith until she met a married man (justice of the peace)who had been divorced. That was 53 years ago. She has not been to church or the sacraments since. Today she asked me to help, which I am happy to do. Her husband's first wife is alive, in a nursing home. That was not the case all these years.  
What can I do to help?  What steps must she take?
Don

ANSWER: Hi, Don:
Thanks for the question - Merry Christmas!

I suppose that I am wondering whether her husband (the divorced justice of the peace) is still living?  If not, then your sister has no marriage issues for returing to the practice of the Faith - would need only to make a good Confession, pray, and start attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion.
If he is alive: then, "Is he baptized?"
If not, and he is interested in, or might potentially convert to the Catholic Faith, then perhaps he and your sister could look to get a dissolution of his previous marriage with the Pauline Privelege "in favor of the Faith."
Petrine Privelege might be pursued if neither he nor his former wife were ever Catholic, and he wants to present the case on its own merits for a dissolution of a non-sacramental marriage (provided at least one of them was not baptized).
They could also take the "internal forum" solution, and live together as "brother & sister", and your sister would be able to practice her Faith and receive the Sacraments, etc.  This can really only work if both are committed to this, and are willing to act in good faith without any dishonesty about the situation....
Hope this helps!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Fr. Johnson, Thank you for your prompt reply.  My sister's husband is age 82 and going through (what appears to be the onset of Alzheimers). Most of the time he is irrational. BUt even if he were rational, he would have no interest in converting.  Your latter possibility seems to have the greatest appeal, for they, in fact, do live as "brother and sister".
For some time, I have been sending her information to refresh her recollection of what was once an important part of her life. She has resumed prayer, is now using a rosary (the colorful World Mission Rosary, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen's design). SHe has the attitude,the right attitude to return, and has asked me to find out the steps she needs to go through.  Of course, I am happy to do that. Our Mother is in Heaven.  She would be overjoyed.
Does my sister need to go to RCIA? Or would a General Confession be all that is required?  Incidentally, one of the statemendts in my original question was inadvertently misleading. Her husband was not a Justice of lthe peace. He was a divorced person.  My sister and her husband were married by a Justice of the Peace. Does that alter things?
  Thank you, again.
SIncerely in Christ,
Don

Answer
Hi, and thanks for the follow up...

I would not think she would have to do RCIA.  A general confession in which the Priest could receive the circumstances and desire of repentance as explained.  Basically, she would be coming back to the Church for all intents and purposes as a single person, and be able to approach the Sacraments regularly.
Whether or not her husband was a justice of the peace or not would not have any bearing.  It might be worth looking somewhat into the sacramentality oor lack thereof of his previous marriage - if only it might be possible that their current civil marriage might be able to be recognized by the Church.  But this is not absolutely essential, I suppose.  Best of all Blessings for you and your sister!

Fr. Timothy Johnson